Levi Smans (born 25 March 2003) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Eredivisie club SC Heerenveen.

Levi Smans
Smans in 2023
Personal information
Date of birth (2003-03-25) 25 March 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Herten, Netherlands[1]
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Heerenveen
Number TBD
Youth career
0000–2012 SHH
2012–2015 VVV-Venlo
2015–2020 SHH
2016–2021 VVV-Venlo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2024 VVV-Venlo 68 (10)
2024– Heerenveen 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:02, 29 May 2024 (UTC)

Career

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VVV-Venlo

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Smans returned to the VVV-Venlo youth academy in 2020 from amateur club SHH, after having already played for the club at under-10 and 11 levels. Ahead of the 2021–22 season, he was promoted to the first team alongside six other academy players.[3] On 13 August 2021, he made his professional debut under head coach Jos Luhukay, replacing Joeri Schroyen in a 2–1 away loss to TOP Oss.[4] He scored his first goal in a league game against Dordrecht on 5 September, which proved to be the winner as the match ended 1–0.[5] On 15 September, Smans signed his first professional contract with VVV until 2025.[6]

Smans impressed during his first season at VVV-Venlo,[7] receiving the Jan Klaassens Award [nl] in August 2022, the yearly award for VVV's best academy player.[8] The award was presented to him by technical director Willem Janssen, who had himself been the first recipient of the award in 2004.[1]

Heerenveen

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On 24 May 2024, Heerenveen announced an agreement for the signing of Smans on a four-year deal, to be effective as of 1 July 2024.[9] The fee was undisclosed by the club, but reported to be several hundred thousand euros.[10]

Career statistics

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As of match played 10 May 2024[11]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League KNVB Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
VVV-Venlo 2021–22 Eerste Divisie 20 1 1 0 21 1
2022–23 Eerste Divisie 13 0 1 0 2[a] 0 16 0
2023–24 Eerste Divisie 35 9 1 0 36 9
Total 68 10 3 0 2 0 73 10
Heerenveen 2024–25 Eredivisie 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 68 10 3 0 2 0 73 10
  1. ^ Appearances in Eredivisie promotion/relegation playoffs

References

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  1. ^ a b "Jans Klaassens Award is voor VVV-talent Levi Smans". De Limburger (in Dutch). 7 August 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  2. ^ "L. Smans – Profiel". Voetbal International. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Jeugdspelers sluiten aan bij selectie". VVV-Venlo (in Dutch). 24 June 2021. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021.
  4. ^ "VVV in slotfase onderuit". VVV-Venlo (in Dutch). 13 August 2021. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  5. ^ Hakim, Qasim (5 September 2021). "Eerste doelpunt Smans in betaald voetbal voldoende voor VVV-zege". De Limburger (in Dutch). Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  6. ^ "VVV-Venlo bindt Smans met profcontract". Venlo Nieuws (in Dutch). 16 November 2021. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  7. ^ Martens, Jack (19 November 2021). "Kleine tornado Levi Smans bewijst gelijk waarom VVV hem zo graag wilde vastleggen". De Limburger (in Dutch). Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  8. ^ "Smans wint Jan Klaassens Award | VVV-Venlo". VVV-Venlo (in Dutch). 5 August 2022. Archived from the original on 13 August 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2022.
  9. ^ "sc Heerenveen neemt Levi Smans over van VVV-Venlo". sc Heerenveen (in Dutch). 24 May 2024. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  10. ^ Schreurs, Joost (24 May 2024). "Levi Smans verruilt VVV voor sc Heerenveen". L1 Nieuws (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  11. ^ Levi Smans at WorldFootball.net
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